Electrically operated valve and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A downhole tool assembly includes a tubular having a flowbore extending along a longitudinal axis of the tubular. An electric actuating mechanism supported by the tubular and distanced from the longitudinal axis of the tubular; and, a valve assembly connected to the tubular and fluidically connected to the flowbore. The valve assembly including: an outer portion having at least one port; and an electrically actuated inner portion concentrically positioned within the outer portion and operable by the actuating mechanism to selectively block the at least one port in a first condition of the valve assembly and unblock the at least one port in a second condition of the valve assembly. A method of actuating a valve assembly in a downhole tubular.

BACKGROUND

In the completion and production industry for natural resources, theformation of boreholes/completions for the purpose of production orinjection of fluid is common. The boreholes/completions are used forexploration or extraction of natural resources such as hydrocarbons,oil, gas, water, and alternatively for CO2 sequestration. Coiled tubingor string is run into the borehole/completion for varying purposes andvalves, such as circulation valves, have been used on the tubing orstring to enable circulation of fluids between the inside and theoutside of the tubing. Such valves are typically mechanically operableincluding ball-activated features and pressure-operated features.

The art would be receptive to improved alternative devices and methodsfor operating a valve within a borehole/completion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

A downhole tool assembly includes a tubular having a flowbore extendingalong a longitudinal axis of the tubular; an electric actuatingmechanism supported by the tubular and distanced from the longitudinalaxis of the tubular; and, a valve assembly connected to the tubular andfluidically connected to the flowbore, the valve assembly including: anouter portion having at least one port; and an electrically actuatedinner portion concentrically positioned within the outer portion andoperable by the actuating mechanism to selectively block the at leastone port in a first condition of the valve assembly and unblock the atleast one port in a second condition of the valve assembly.

A method of actuating a valve assembly in a downhole tubular, the methodincludes inserting a tubular having a flowbore into a borehole;employing a peripherally positioned electric motor within the tubular;actuating an electrically activated valve assembly with the motor, thevalve assembly including an outer portion having at least one port andan inner portion movably configured within the outer portion; and,selectively moving the inner portion to block the at least one port in afirst condition of the valve assembly and selectively moving the innerportion to expose the at least one port in a second condition of thevalve assembly; wherein fluid flow through the tubular during both thefirst and second conditions of the valve assembly is not blocked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way.With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numberedalike:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a downhole tool assembly in aborehole incorporating an exemplary electrically operable valveassembly;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional exploded side view of an exemplaryembodiment of the downhole tool assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows cross-sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of anaxially shiftable valve assembly;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the axially shiftable valveassembly taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of arotatably adjustable valve assembly;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the rotatably adjustable valveassembly taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a side plan view of an exemplary inner portion of the valveassembly of FIG. 5; and,

FIGS. 8A-8C show cross sectional views of alternate exemplaryembodiments of a power generation sub for the downhole tool assembly ofFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosedapparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification andnot limitation with reference to the Figures.

FIG. 1 shows a downhole tool assembly 100 positioned within a borehole10 lined with a casing 12. The borehole 10 has a generally verticalsection and may further include a deviated or horizontal section 20.Alternatively, the borehole 10 is an open-type borehole where theformation wall 16 is not lined with casing 12. The downhole toolassembly 100 includes a tubular string 14, such as, but not limited to,coiled tubing, production string, and drilling string. The string 14includes any number of connected tubing pieces and may be spoolable ontoa reel (not shown) provided at a surface location 22. At a downhole end24 of the string 14, a tool 18 may be carried for performing a downholeoperation. While illustrated at the downhole end 24, one or more tools18 may be provided anywhere between the downhole end 24 and surfacelocation 22. Alternatively, the string 14 need not include any tool 18.The string 14 may also be used primarily for well production stagesusing coiled tubing, where the valve assembly 40 is employed forcirculating or redirecting production fluids as needed to direct suchfluids to surface, bypass blockages, etc., or for injection ofstimulating or fracturing fluids as needed from an interior to anexterior of the string 14.

A power source 28 providing electrical energy may be provided at thesurface location 22, and sends an electrical signal, such as via line30. A surface control unit 38 is used to electrically control operationof a valve assembly 40, such as a circulation valve, by using a motorpowered by the power source 28 or a power generation sub as will befurther described below. Whenever valve operation is necessary, thevalve assembly 40 is activated by an actuation mechanism to move to afull or partially open condition based on required flow regimes to allowfor circulation of fluids from inside to outside, outside to inside,downhole to uphole, or uphole to downhole, either as a one off operationor multi-repeated cycles.

While the valve assembly 40 may be controlled via the control unit 38 atany time, whether programmed or by operator input, in an exemplaryembodiment of the downhole tool assembly 100, sensor modules 32 may alsobe directly incorporated into the string 14 or tool 18 to detect changesin the environment of the string 14 within the borehole 10 to indicatewhen an operation of a circulation valve assembly 40 is necessary. Thesensor module 32 could be incorporated into a logging bottom holeassembly 34, provided separately along interconnections of the string 14or other locations along the string 14, or provided within the tool 18.The sensor module 32 may contain sensors 36, circuitry, and processingsoftware and algorithms relating to environment of the boreholeindicative of a necessity for operation of a valve assembly 40. Suchparameters may include pressure, flow speed, and other measurementsrelated to the environment of the string 14. Signals from sensors 36 inthe sensor module 32 or sensors 36 provided elsewhere along the string14 are either processed by the sensor module 32, sent to a surfacelocation 22 such as surface control unit 38 for operator evaluation, ordirectly to a valve assembly 40 for immediate or subsequent action. Thesurface control unit 38 or processor may receive signals from thesensors 36 and processes such signals according to programmedinstructions provided to the surface control unit 38. The surfacecontrol unit 38 may also display information on a display/monitorutilized by an operator. The surface control unit 38 may include acomputer or a microprocessor-based processing system, memory for storingprograms or models and data, a recorder for recording data, and otherperipherals. The control unit 38 may be adapted to notify the operatorwhen operating conditions indicate a need for circulation or other valveoperation. The surface control unit 38 may also be used for otheroperations of the string 14 and tool 18 not described herein. Acommunication sub (not shown) may obtain the signals and measurementsand transfers the signals, using two-way telemetry, for example, to beprocessed at the surface location 22. Alternatively, the signals can beprocessed using a downhole processor in the tool 18 or sensor module 32.In the event a signal is sent indicating a need for circulation or othervalve operation, the valve assembly 40 is electrically activated.

The selective valve operation does not impede operation of the tool(s)18, string 14, or any downhole procedure. Furthermore, as will befurther described below, even when the valve assembly 40 is activated,flow through a flowbore 42 of the string 14 is not blocked or restrictedso as to allow for flow therethrough for use by the tool 18 or downholeoperations requiring such flow, such as production through the coiledtubing of the string 14.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the downhole tool assembly 100 is shown includingthe valve assembly 40. The string 14 includes a tubular wall 44surrounding the flowbore 42. While the valve assembly 40 is depicteddownhole of the string 14, additional lengths of the string 14 may alsobe connected downhole of the valve assembly 40. Additionally, multiplevalve assemblies 40 may be provided along the string 14 as exemplifiedin FIG. 1.

An exemplary embodiment of the downhole tool assembly 100 includes alogging bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) 34. The logging BHA may be aseparate component from the valve assembly 40. Also included in thedownhole tool assembly is a motor 46, which may be incorporated into apower supply sub 48, and an electrically activated valve assembly 40.

The logging BHA 34 is attachable to the string 14. The logging BHA 34includes an uphole end 54 connected to the string 14, and a downhole end56. The logging BHA 34 also includes flowthrough, such that a flowbore58 of the logging BHA 34 is in fluid communication with the flowbore 42of the string 14. The logging BHA 34 may create any type of geophysicallog by making at least one type of measurement of rock or fluid propertyin the borehole 10 or within the flowbore 58 of the logging BHA 34itself The measurements are taken using at least one type of sensor,including, but not limited to, sensors to measure pressure, temperature,spontaneous potential, and radiation, as well as a variety of sensorssuch as acoustic (sonic), electric, inductive, magnetic resonance, etc.One of the sensors in the logging BHA 34 may be the sensor 36 thatdetects environmental conditions within the borehole 10. The data fromthe measurements secured by the logging BHA 34 may be recorded at thesurface control unit 38, or alternatively the logging BHA 34 may includea memory storage unit for subsequent creation of a well log. Since theinformation from the logging BHA 34 can be used by operators to gain anunderstanding of the borehole 10 for any desired downhole operation, thelogging BHA 34 need not be directly part of the valve assembly 40 evenif information obtained from the logging BHA 34 is utilized by the valveassembly 40. Alternatively, the valve assembly 40 may be electricallyoperated using signals initiated by an operator or from other sensors36, 28 as previously described.

Connected downhole of string 14, and the logging BHA 34 if utilized, isa power supply sub 48. The power supply sub 48 includes an uphole end 60and a downhole end 62 and includes flowthrough via a flowbore 66. Theuphole end 60 of the power supply sub 48 is connected downhole of thelogging BHA 34 or string 14. In one exemplary embodiment, a conductor 64passes through the string 14, logging BHA 34, and into the power supplysub 48. The conductor 64 is formed of one or more insulated wires orbundles of wires adapted to convey power and/or data, and may beincluded with or part of the signal conducting line 30 that deliverssignals from the surface location 22 to motor 46. The conductor 64 caninclude metal wires, or alternatively other carriers such as fiber opticcables that may be provided in a tubing encapsulated cable (“TEC”) suchas an armored metal clad water sealed cable. The conductor 64 candeliver the signal provided by the sensors 28 or operator inputpreviously described, as well as carry the signals from the downholesensors 36. Additionally, by use of either direct or alternating currenttransmittal through the conductor 64, the power supply sub 48 is capableof providing sufficient power to operate the valve assembly 40 connecteddownhole of the power supply sub 48. The conductor 64 is either providedwithin a protective channel (not shown) incorporated within the string14 or passed through the flowbores 42, 58 of the string 14 and loggingBHA 34, such as via a wireline. Advantages of using conductor 64 toconduct current from the surface 22 include the ability to conduct highamounts of electrical energy from the surface 22 and the supply from thesurface 22 is relatively unlimited.

The power supply sub 48 is a tubular that peripherally supports themotor 46 and may alternatively or additionally include a power storageunit such as one or more batteries 68. Batteries 68 can be used as alocal source of power for downhole electrical devices, such as theelectrically activated valve 40 or a tool 18, but the batteries 68 mustbe arranged to fit within space constraints that exist within theborehole 10 and string 14. Electrically recharging the battery 68 canoccur through the conductor 64, and replacing the battery 68, ifrequired, may be accomplished via a wireline operation or upon retrievalof the battery 68 from the borehole 10.

When necessary to open the valve assembly 40, or close the valveassembly 40, such as determined by a surface operator or via the loggingBHA 34 or sensor 36 or 28 that a condition within or exterior to thestring 14 has necessitated valve operation, then the power supply sub 48will utilize an actuating mechanism linked to the motor 46 to activatethe electrically operated valve assembly 40. The electrically operatedvalve assembly 40 shares substantially the same flowpath, and likewisemay share substantially the same longitudinal axis when interconnectedwith the power supply sub 48, logging BHA 34, and string 14. While thevalve assembly 40, power supply sub 48, and logging BHA 34 have beendescribed and illustrated as separate elements, another exemplaryembodiment would include the integration of any combination of suchsubs, although separating the components into different subs generallyeases replacement of defective parts. Also, while the different subs aredescribed as interconnected, it should be understood that the elementsmay be separated from each other by any additional lengths of string 14or connectors.

When actuated by the power supply sub 48, the electrically operatedvalve assembly 40 will either open or close or be positioned at aninterim location between fully opened and fully closed. The valveassembly 40 is accessible to the flow bore 42 of the assembly 100, butdoes not block or restrict the flow bore 104 even when in use, nor doesit interrupt the normal flow through the flow bore 104 and string 14.Thus, any downhole tools, such as tool 18, which depend on the flowthrough the flow bore 42, still receive the flow. Also, the downholetool assembly 100 is suited for well production through the flow bore42, since the flow bore 42 is not blocked by any of the above-describedportions of the assembly 100.

As depicted in FIGS. 3-4, one exemplary embodiment of the valve assembly140 includes a longitudinally displaceable or axially shiftable innerportion 110 of the valve assembly 140 that covers/blocks oruncovers/exposes at least one port 112 in an outer portion 114 of thevalve assembly 140. The outer portion 114 may be connected with thetubular of the power supply sub 48 so as to substantially share the samelongitudinal axis as the power supply sub 48 and downhole tool assembly100 and to fluidically connect with the flowbore 42 of the downhole toolassembly 100. One exemplary embodiment of an actuating mechanism 115 tomove the inner portion 110 in an uphole or downhole direction includes ascrew rod 116 rotated by motor 46 within a threaded aperture 118 in theinner portion 110. The inner portion 110 has a substantiallytubular-shaped cross-section, with at least one section 120 of the innerportion 110 sized to accommodate the threaded aperture 118. The section120 may have a larger peripheral wall thickness than a wall thickness ofthe remainder of the peripheral wall. As can be mechanically understood,rotation of the screw rod 116 in a first direction will move the innerportion 110 in a downhole direction (further from surface location 22),while rotation of the screw rod 116 in a second direction, opposite thefirst direction, will move the inner portion 110 in an uphole direction.The outer portion 114 may include two or more longitudinally spacedports 112 such that movement of the inner portion 110 in the uphole ordownhole direction provides more or less fluid access between the flowbore 42 and the annulus surrounding the downhole tool assembly 100. Forexample, if the inner portion is positioned as shown in FIG. 3 in afirst condition, the valve assembly 140 is fully closed/blocked. If theinner portion 110 is moved by the motor 46 to reveal all the ports 112,then the valve assembly 140 is fully opened in a second condition of thevalve assembly 140. The valve assembly 140 may further include anynumber of additional conditions between fully closed and fully opened.For example, in the illustrated embodiment, if one or more of the ports112 are unblocked, but one or more of the ports 112 are blocked, andthen the motor 46 is intentionally stopped to halt further movement ofthe inner portion 110, then the valve assembly 100 is in a partiallyopened position, a third condition. The inner portion 110 may bepositionable in any of the port revealing positions described above, andmay then be subsequently partially or fully closed or fully opened byselecting the appropriate rotation direction of the screw rod 116. Whilethe inner portion 110 has been depicted to reveal the ports 112successively by moving the inner portion 110 in an uphole direction,alternatively the inner portion 110 could be arranged such that theinner portion 110 must move in a downhole direction to successivelyreveal the ports 112. Also, while discrete axially spaced ports 112 havebeen illustrated, the outer portion 114 may alternatively include anelongated longitudinal slot where a third condition (between fullyopened and fully closed) is achieved by halting the inner portion 110 ata position where the longitudinal slot is both partially covered andpartially revealed by the inner portion 110. In still another exemplaryembodiment, the inner portion 110 may include apertures that align ormisalign with the ports 112 of the outer portion 114.

FIGS. 5-7 show an alternative arrangement of a valve assembly 240 forrotatably moving the inner portion 210 relative to the outer portion214. An actuating mechanism 215 includes a gear set 216 that meshes witha rotatable driving gear 218 which in turn meshes with gear teeth 220 ona surface, such as an interior surface 222, of the inner portion 210.The gear teeth 220 need only be limited to a first section of the innerportion 210, while a remainder of the surface 222 may be free of gearteeth 220. The driving gear 218 is rotated in a first direction or anopposite second direction, such as by rotation of motor shaft 224fixedly attached to an initial gear in the gear set 216. Rotation of thedriving gear 218 rotates the inner portion 210. The inner portion 210may be axially constrained by uphole and downhole shoulders 230, 232protruding radially inwardly from outer portion 214. The inner portion210 includes one or more windows 226 that are alignable with or coverone or more ports 212 in the outer portion 214. As in the valve assembly140, the valve assembly 240 is configured to be selectively movablebetween a first condition in which the valve ports 212 are fully coveredby an imperforate portion 228 of the inner portion 210, a secondcondition in which the valve ports 212 are completely accessible to aflow bore 42 of the downhole tool assembly 100, and a third condition inwhich the valve ports 212 are only partially blocked by the imperforateportion 228 of the inner portion 210.

In other exemplary embodiments, the power supply sub 48 may include adownhole electrical generating mechanism 70 (FIGS. 8A-8D) tocontinuously generate electricity and supply electricity as needed tothe motor 46 or a storage location, such as the electrical generatingapparatus described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,508 to Tubel et al, hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. The electrical generatingmechanism 70 may utilize the power of passing fluid (hydraulic energy),magnetic field, a turbine, spring energy, piezoelectrics, etc. When thepower supply sub 48 is employed as a power generation sub 72, power isscavenged, or harvested, from sources of potential energy within theborehole 10 including, but not limited to, fluids moving inside theflowbore 66. The power generation sub 72 may harvest vibrational energy,such as the vibrational energy harvesting mechanism described by U.S.Patent Application 2009/0166045 to Wetzel et al. The flow through theflowbore 66 is a source of vibrational energy downhole, and vibrationenhancement mechanisms as described in Wetzel et al. may be added in theflowbore 66 to produce a locally more turbulent flow. Additionally,vibrations created by the tool 18 are also harvestable by the powergeneration sub 72. When harvesting energy from the movement of fluidwithin the flowbore 66, the fluid can be used to rotate a rotatableelement such as a turbine or a rotatable magnet within a coil. Therotating turbine can be connected to an electrical generator thatcommunicates with an energy storage device, such as a battery 74.Rotation of a magnet within a coil will induce magnetic flux on the coiland a converter can convert AC electrical output to DC electrical energyas needed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the electrical generating mechanism 70of the power generation sub 72 may occupy a lateral passageway 76 so asnot to block the main flowbore 66, or may alternatively be positionedwithin an annulus 78 surrounding the flowbore 66 as depicted in FIG. 3B.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3C, hydraulic pressure from the surface22 can be used to generate power in an electrical generating mechanism70 by delivering fluid under pressure via a hydraulic line 80 to reactwith the electrical generating mechanism 70.

In the embodiments described above, neither the valve assembly 40, 140,240 nor the actuating mechanism 115, 215 required to actuate the valveassembly 40, 140, 240 block flow through the flowbore of the downholetool assembly 100. Any of the above described embodiments of anelectrically operated valve assembly and power supply sub may be used inplurality and sections of string 14 may be interposed therebetween.While fluid flow is illustrated in one particular direction, it shouldbe understood that the fluid flow within the flowbores 42, 58, 66, 104of the above described exemplary embodiments may be in either uphole ordownhole direction depending upon the particular application of thestring.

A method of operating a valve assembly 40, 140, 240 in a downhole toolassembly 100 includes inserting a tubular such as the string 14 into theborehole 10, determining a need for opening or blocking flow between theflowbore of the tubular and the annulus between the tubular and theborehole 10, sending a signal to a control unit 28 or motor 46 inresponse to the determined need, actuating an electrically activatedvalve assembly 40, the valve assembly 40 having a flow bore 104fluidically connected to a flowbore 42 of the tubular, and altering theflow between the tubular and surrounding borehole 10 by operation of thevalve assembly 40. The method enables a partial opening of flow betweenthe flowbore and annulus. Flow through the flowbores 42, 104 of thestring 14 and valve assembly 40 is not blocked during activation andnon-activation of the valve assembly 40. The method further includesgenerating power in a power generating sub 48.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedfor elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the invention withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosedas the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but thatthe invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope ofthe claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have beendisclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specificterms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation,the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, theuse of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order orimportance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used todistinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the termsa, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denotethe presence of at least one of the referenced item.

What is claimed is:
 1. A downhole tool assembly comprising: a tubularhaving a flowbore extending along a longitudinal axis of the tubular; anelectric actuating mechanism supported by the tubular and distanced fromthe longitudinal axis of the tubular; and, a valve assembly connected tothe tubular and fluidically connected to the flowbore, the valveassembly including: an outer portion having at least one port; and anelectrically actuated inner portion concentrically positioned within theouter portion and operable by the actuating mechanism to selectivelyblock the at least one port in a first condition of the valve assemblyand unblock the at least one port in a second condition of the valveassembly.
 2. The downhole tool assembly of claim 1 wherein the innerportion is further movable to selectively block only a portion of the atleast one port in a third condition of the valve assembly, leaving aremainder of the at least one port unblocked in the third condition. 3.The downhole tool assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner portion furtherincludes at least one aperture configured to be selectively aligned andmisaligned with the at least one port of the outer portion.
 4. Thedownhole tool assembly of claim 1 wherein the inner portion isconfigured to be longitudinally shiftable relative to the outer portion.5. The downhole tool assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one portin the outer portion includes a plurality of ports, at least two of theplurality of ports positioned at longitudinally discrete locations alongthe outer portion.
 6. The downhole tool assembly of claim 4 wherein theactuating mechanism includes a screw rod rotatable by a motor, the innerportion including a threaded aperture configured to longitudinally shiftthe inner portion upon rotation of the screw rod.
 7. The downhole toolassembly of claim 6 wherein the threaded aperture is located within aperipheral wall of the inner portion.
 8. The downhole tool assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the inner portion is configured to be rotatable andsubstantially longitudinally stationary within the outer portion.
 9. Thedownhole tool assembly of claim 8 wherein a surface of the inner portionincludes gear teeth and the actuating mechanism includes a driving gearhaving teeth engageable with the gear teeth of the surface of the innerportion.
 10. The downhole tool assembly of claim 9 wherein the gearteeth of the inner portion are located on a first section of the innerportion, and a second section of the inner portion further includes atleast one aperture configured to be selectively aligned and misalignedwith the at least one portion of the outer portion.
 11. The downholetool assembly of claim 1 further comprising an electric motor operatingthe actuating mechanism, the electric motor substantially positionedwithin a peripheral wall of the tubular.
 12. The downhole tool assemblyof claim 11 wherein the motor is configured to receive electricity froma surface location.
 13. The downhole tool assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising a power generating member, wherein flow through the tubularis used to generate power in the power generating member.
 14. Thedownhole tool assembly of claim 1 further comprising a sensor configuredto detect a condition indicative of a need to activate the valveassembly, and a motor configured to actuate the actuating mechanism andvalve assembly in response to the sensed condition.
 15. The downholetool assembly of claim 1 wherein the outer portion and the tubularsubstantially share the longitudinal axis.
 16. A method of actuating avalve assembly in a downhole tubular, the method comprising: inserting atubular having a flowbore into a borehole; employing a peripherallypositioned electric motor within the tubular; actuating an electricallyactivated valve assembly with the motor, the valve assembly including anouter portion having at least one port and an inner portion movablyconfigured within the outer portion; and, selectively moving the innerportion to block the at least one port in a first condition of the valveassembly and selectively moving the inner portion to expose the at leastone port in a second condition of the valve assembly; wherein fluid flowthrough the tubular during both the first and second conditions of thevalve assembly is not blocked.
 17. The method of claim 16 furthercomprising selectively moving the inner portion to block a portion ofthe at least one port and expose a portion of the at least one port in athird condition of the valve assembly and selectively maintaining thevalve assembly in the third condition.
 18. The method of claim 16wherein selectively moving the inner portion includes longitudinallymoving the inner portion relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubularby employing the power source to rotate a screw rod within a threadedaperture within a peripheral wall of the inner portion.
 19. The methodof claim 16 wherein selectively moving the inner portion includesrotatably moving the inner portion by employing the motor to rotate adriving gear meshing with gear teeth on a surface of the inner portion.20. The method of claim 16 further comprising harvesting energy fromfluid flow through the tubular to operate the motor.